Muscle spasm: I managed to get a muscle spasm in... - LUPUS UK

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Muscle spasm

Purpletop profile image
12 Replies

I managed to get a muscle spasm in the back and it isn't improving much after almost 2 weeks. I'm wondering whether the spasm is caused by lupus? If you experience it, are you taking any particular medication for it? How long does it take you to resolve it?

Any help would be much appreciated, thank you.

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Purpletop profile image
Purpletop
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12 Replies
Danielle2419 profile image
Danielle2419

Hey, i do get them myslef mostly in my legs they are awful, but no i dont take anything for them just normal meds and cocodamol if the pain is unbearable for me they last 1 to 4 days depending on intensity 5 to 6 days maxium no longer than that they seem to come up but respond to my meds again and die down

Purpletop profile image
Purpletop in reply to Danielle2419

Nothing seems to work for mine, I even went to a sports therapist in the hope I

It will get stretched but no luck yet. The thing is, I managed to get a flu, despite the vaccine, and am coughing very few seconds and this muscle is killing me each time I cough. Things never come on their own, do they. Thank you for taking the time to respond x

roobarb profile image
roobarb

I've had muscle spasms in lower to middle back intermittently for past 3 or 4 years. I also wonder if it's to do with lupus. It can't help that we are forced to live sedentary lives by our illness. Initially I got some exercises from an NHS physio referral, which I still do every day, & I do feel that helps to strengthen the core muscles. I do lots of walking, & try to think about my posture when sitting for long periods. I tried pilates classes, but they sent me into a flare. So for me exercises I can do at home, little & often, are a better option.

Ibuprofen helps if you can take it, & keeping mobile. When this first occurred for me it did take 4 or 5 weeks to settle, but now it's usually a few days. So be patient & ask your GP for a physio referral. Or, if you can afford it pay to see someone privately.

I hope it settles very soon. X

Purpletop profile image
Purpletop in reply to roobarb

Thank you, I am seeing this sports therapist privately again next week but I'm so surprised of the pain! I have it like you, lower to middle back, it's horrid, can't twist, cough, slouch, nothing! I'm also working with a personal trainer to strengthen the core muscles (under the many layers of fat) so I'm disappointed that this has happened. I will take ibuprofen as you suggest, fed up with it.

roobarb profile image
roobarb in reply to Purpletop

What a shame, & how dis-disheartening when you are trying so hard to build up your strength. Perhaps it's more a injury, I hope the sports therapist can help you.

I really do think our muscle strength, or recovery from exercise, is effected by this illness. When I think of how the pilates sessions effected me last year, it was as if my body just could not take it. I thought I would get used to it if I stuck with it, but it just got worse as the weeks went on. And I used to do loads of exercise before I got ill, but my body is a completely different thing these days. I suppose it's a case of learning to work with these new (or should I say old) bodies that lupus has given us.

I forgot to say, gentle heat also seems to work for me. I hope you are feeling better very soon. X

Sher78 profile image
Sher78

sometimes with muscle spasms (especially if it goes tight) there is a 'trigger point' in that particular muscle (I have 1 in my left calf muscle). Every so often when I get the tightening, my GP will spend 20 minutes manipulating the 'trigger point' & although it hurts like Hell, it will solve the problem 4 a few months. As 4 general muscle spasms, there doesn't really seem 2 b a lot they can do 4 it. I know some people take amytrip 4 it, but personally I found it made mine worse.

If my back starts 2 spasm, I lie down & try & stretch it as much as possible. Yeah, it hurts, but I find relief with it. Failing that, a warm soak in the bath. If u find something that helps, let us know ;-) x

Purpletop profile image
Purpletop in reply to Sher78

I don't know how you could stretch it without howling in pain! There must be something more than muscle spasm for me, I'm still in b****dy pain, I think I will go see an osteopath or something.

Sher78 profile image
Sher78 in reply to Purpletop

Believe me, I do howl :-) I thought an osteopath was more for bones?

Purpletop profile image
Purpletop in reply to Sher78

It is but when I saw the sport therapist last time he 'clicked' two of my ribs and apparently one of my vertebrae is misaligned, so I'm thinking a bone person wd probably help.

Sher78 profile image
Sher78 in reply to Purpletop

u're falling 2 bits woman! Bless u, hopefully it'll help then :-)

scoobydoo1 profile image
scoobydoo1

DIAZEPAM i get them in my chest, back, legs and arms and i have had them constantly for the last 8 weeks, prior to that intermitently in calfs and thighs. so funny as last time i went in to work (A/E) kris my doctor commented "its like having a tens machine on full wack" when she felt my chest :) at the end of this flare then i should have legs like a racehorse and a six pack. heat real does help my spasms also, but makes me lethargic. I would recomend you ask gp. regards and good luck mark.

Purpletop profile image
Purpletop

Thank you for the good wishes. I'm still suffering, i will probably have to go see someone else, I can't even cough because of so much pain. Heat does nothing to it, ice does a bit. How can you go to work with so much pain??

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